The modern day era of the 1800s to the present day has witnessed significant changes in military capability and technology. From the age of industrialisation to the information age, Western and Eastern powers alternately advanced and changed in a complex web of military strategy, technology, and global politics. We review military power of the West and East from the 19th century to the worldwide stage in this particular blog post.
The Industrial Revolution and its Impact (1800s – World War I)
The 19th century started with the Industrial Revolution which started in Western Europe and altered the dynamics of war. Countries like Britain, Germany and France started to use mechanization to produce weapons at a scale and speed previously inconceivable. This era also saw rifled firearms, steam-powered ships and eventually railways used to mobilize and supply troops.
Eastern powers were in another state during this period. The Qing Dynasty in China and the Ottoman Empire were under internal and external pressures not conducive to competition with Western advances. Japan was the notable exception; After the Meiji Restoration in 1868 it industrialized and adopted Western military technologies and organizational strategies to become a formidable power in East Asia.
World Wars and the Shifts in Power (1914 – 1945)
The two World Wars were turning points for many. In World War I the military might of Western nations was most evident, with trench warfare, tanks and chemical weapons defining the conflict. The Eastern powers (including the new Soviet Union post-1917) began to modernise and industrialise in response to the Western technological lead.
World War II also reshaped the international military landscape. The Western Allies with their advanced technology and huge industrial output were crucial in defeating the Axis powers. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union arose as a military superpower, with great sacrifices and considerable military might notably in tank warfare and strategic military planning.
Cold War Militarization and Technological Arms Race (1947 – 1991)
Post-World War II saw the world divided into 2 primary spheres controlled by the USSR and the USA, and the Cold War started. This era was marked by an unprecedented arms race including nuclear weapons and a deterrent strategy that fundamentally changed military doctrines – Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).
Western powers, primarily the U.S., pursued technological superiority, developing aircraft, missiles and intelligence capabilities. NATO was a model of Western collective military effort formed in 1949. By contrast, the Eastern bloc, led by the Soviet Union, concentrated on constructing large conventional and nuclear forces and displayed it through parades and tests.
The Information Age and Modern Military Dynamics (1991 – Present)
Another change occurred with the Soviet Union being disbanded in 1991. The United States remained the only superpower with unmatched global military reach complemented by cutting edge technology in precision weapons, drones and cyber warfare. While China has grown to be a major Eastern power, modernising its army, concentrating on anti-access/area denial & abilities in space and cyber domains.
Russia, following the Soviet legacy, has also reaffirmed its military presence with actions in Ukraine and Syria using hybrid warfare and advanced missile technology to maintain global influence and deter Western interventions.
Conclusion
Of the modern day era the relationship between Western and Eastern military powers has been characterized by times of rapid innovation, strategic changes and realignments. The current global military landscape is complex and intertwined with technological advances and strategic power shifts. Looking forward, the dynamics of military power probably will be shaped by technological advancements and political changes, and knowing past and present military capabilities is crucial to anticipate future trends.
